The blockage of access to needed medication for cancer patients is a prime example of the focus of the GOP legislators in Madison. Rather than helping the state and its people, they are working to consolidate political power and repay their corporate contributors.

Look at a few of the items passed by the state GOP and documented well in the conservative press. Keep in mind that almost all of these items have been duplicated in every state government held by this same GOP “supermajority.”1. Tax increases or elimination of tax breaks for the poor and elderly. 2. Elimination of health care for thousands. 3. Tax cuts for the rich and tax breaks for wealthy corporate donors. 4. Restriction of access to legal assistance. 5. Restrictions to the First Amendment. 6. Dissolution of unions. 7. Slashing education funding. 8. Giving our tax dollars to corporate schools. 9. Villainization of teachers and public servants. 10. Elimination of voting rights for thousands.

Huge amounts of time and tax dollars have been spent on items like these that do nothing to help the state, the economy, or the people. Even “concealed carry,” while popular, does nothing to improve the lives of citizens. The proposed voting restrictions are a nationwide attempt to disenfranchise enough democratic voters to win elections.

Our state government has been hijacked by people who have no intention of working for their constituents. Senator Fitzgerald’s halt to approving needed cancer medications and restrictions to Veterans access to legal assistance in asbestos lawsuits shows me that the GOP majority simply does not care about our citizens. They only care about personal gain.

While most of the nation is enjoying a mild upturn in the economy, Wisconsin keeps lagging behind. The Republicans in Madison have refused to perform their jobs as elected representatives.

Correspondent Doug Curtis’ letter in the 3/25 issue of The Leader is long on allegations but short on supporting data. In fact, there is no documentation at all for any of the ten points he asserts that the GOP legislators have passed.An additional point he brings up is who gets to vote. Although sadly neglected by very man of our fellow citizens, it is nevertheless a right of citizens, and only citizens, to vote. I think it is perfectly reasonable to ask that anybody who shows up to vote at a polling place be prepared to prove they are eligible to vote. In this regard, I think it is the duty of the State to provide free-of-charge, a birth certificate so that one can establish citizenship.While I’m sure Mr Curtis is an honorable fellow, his cause would be greatly helped had he provided specific and verifiable facts. Without facts, his letter lacks credibility. Bernie LyngdalTomahawk

The GOP has done all Curtis mentions and more. They have twisted and abused the legislative process to attack the process of local government by passing laws that will usurp local control when it comes to voting, minimum wage, frac sand mining regulation, and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). In the case of the mining and CAFO cases, the Republicans seem to think the taxpayers should subsidize the cost of any monitoring needed, letting that cost fall to local authorities instead of the corporations creating the expense. They have turned the state into a candy store for their contributors where the state is forced to act as a funding tool by issuing “Choose Life” license plates that funnel money to extreme religious anti-abortion organizations. They have realized an Orwellian 1984 style big brother mandate in which state authority forces a woman to have an ultrasound at her expense if she contemplates having an abortion. They have funneled taxpayer money into failing private voucher schools. And the list goes on and on.